It happened a few years back. I was studying MPhil and was working on my thesis. My coursework was completed. I had one year to complete my research work. For that, I used to spend hours working on my laptop, on my study table or in the university library. Life turned quite boring during that time. At that moment, I decided to cash my degree and make a positive difference in my life.
Teaching had always been my passion. I was enthusiastic and excited about getting into professional life. I had always seen my sister, my mother, and my father going to the office and I always wanted to follow in their footsteps. So, I applied at multiple institutions for the position of English teacher/lecturer and waited. The wait was a killer. Probably something more than that. I received a couple of calls but rejected them due to low salary packages. It was really frustrating. I used to feel anxiety thinking about whether I wasn't capable of any job or my skills aren't enough for a professional job. I rode a rollercoaster of endless thoughts, feelings and emotions for a few months till I got the desired call.
So one lucky day I received an sms on phone informing me about an entry test at one of the prestigious colleges in the town. I still remember the moment when I was sitting in the university library cabin, typing my thesis when my phone vibrated. A drop of tears fell from my eye as I read the message. Without delay of a single moment, I called my mother. That was the proud moment for my mother that made her way too emotional on the call.
I just had a couple of days to prepare for the entry test. I was trying to decide what to revise as there were no specific guidelines or syllabi. I skimmed and scanned all my notes, important highlighted books, relevant articles and documents. I watched several youtube videos to prepare myself for every kind of question.
On the very day of the exam, I was super nervous. I prepared myself mentally and physically and set off. With an ID Card, clipboard and ballpoint in my hand, I entered the college of my dreams. It was so unreal. I felt myself above seven skies. The first glimpse as I entered the gate is still fresh in my mind today. The beautiful gate, those high trees, the tall building, the green ground. I can still feel those vibes in the air when I think about that moment. Soon after a short wait, I was ushered into a big hall where hundreds of applicants were seated and several like me were finding their seats. After a brief struggle, I was able to find my seat in the last rows of the examination hall. The number of applicants made me nervous. I wasn't expecting this much competition. There were people, more experienced and qualified than me. For a moment I thought that I had truly lost it. I was literally sweating. Yet, it wasn't late when I started to calm myself down and focused on my mission.
I was through the first phase. It was a disturbing day indeed. The test went fine but the thought kept pricking my mind that the other applicants had a stronger and richer resumes than mine. I could do nothing but wait for the result.
Fortunately, I received an interview call within a week. That was completely unbelievable. I was sitting at my university cafe and I was literally over the moon. I wanted to scream, run, and laugh. I wanted to tell everyone about my success. It was not easy to compose. Not at all!
All in all, the big day arrived and the cab dropped me at the door of the Head Office of the relevant college. It was huge. For the moment I thought that I might be at the wrong destination. But I wasn't! It was real. The formal check and balance procedure started which led me towards a waiting room. There was a list of hundred and fifty selected applicants. I thought that I couldn't make it through it as others were far better than me. They were older than me, and definitely more experienced and educated. This made me sad. It was not a good feeling. My happiness flushed in that waiting room.
Yet it didn't stop here!
I noticed that each interview was taking almost twenty minutes. They were asked certain verbal questions and then a ten-minute demo. When I was called I knew that the interviewees have already viewed the best and I might not come up to that level. I stepped into a large room where six gentlemen and a lady were seated. I was asked some general questions and some academic ones which I confidently answered. I was happy to answer all of them. They just sent me right away then with no demo. I was dumbfounded!
Wasn't I capable enough for a demo? Have I been rejected already? Something must have gone wrong and I was not happy with it.
All eyes were on me as I exited the room, wondering why the interview finished so quickly. When I told them I hadn't previously worked, they said that due to my inexperience, I wasn't made to participate in a demo. To me, it didn't make much sense. I was worried. I was tense. I was not happy at all. I had no hope.
Days passed by. My thesis instructor had made things tougher for me and my mind was completely on my work. I was not thinking about the interview anymore. I was disappointed in myself. I was just not ready for the job. Or maybe I was not capable enough for the position yet.
One fine afternoon, I was sitting just outside the university cafeteria when my phone started to ring. It was a local unknown number. I picked up the call. The person took my complete name and told me that I was selected for the position of English lecturer!
My eyes grew bigger, my heart missed a beat. I was like, really? Is it true? Am I selected? I asked so many questions in a single breath for which the gentleman smiled and told me that he was the Principal of that college who personally called me as he was truly impressed with my interview. I couldn't do anything but thank God millions of times. My mother and father were so proud of me. My family was happy and satisfied. We had a family feast that night for the grand celebration.
After successfully passing the formal test and interview procedure from the head office, I was directed towards the college. I made all the preparations at night.
It was my first day at the job. I was extremely happy and excited about everything. I went there well-prepared and had a brief orientation meeting with the Principal and Vice Principal. It was a nice conversation. They told me about college history, its rules and regulations, and their expectations of me as a teacher.
Then came the point of assigning the classes, where they looked confused. I clearly heard the words of the Principal saying, “Ms X won’t be able to handle college boys!”. I was completely shocked when I heard the Vice Principal’s argument. I was like, “Are you kidding me?!”. The Principal was hesitant for giving me higher classes as I was a girl and won’t be able to handle college boys.
A male teacher who applied with me was assigned higher classes even with the fact that his qualification and experience was lesser than mine. Just because I was a woman I had to face this. I wanted to speak but didn't feel appropriate. The vice principal handed me the record file of senior classes whereas I was expecting college classes. I was then ushered towards the English department where the head of the department met me and assigned me a cupboard and keys.
It was sports week and no course classes were being held on those days. So I got a few days to understand the work and other terms. I settled myself in the department and met two other teachers who told me more about students and their behaviour. They were ready to assist me all way as I was new and junior. Most of all, I was the youngest and most qualified teacher in the college which made me stand out. I was happy to see such welcoming nature of people around me. Then I visited the college and went through the corridors and classes. There was a big staffroom right at the entrance of the building. Several teachers were sitting there, chatting and checking notebooks. They greeted me and I spent some time with them. All of them were female teachers who told me crispy stories about students. I spent quality time with them. Then I had my lunch there and soon it was dismissal time. I went back to my department, grabbed my belongings, locked the cupboard and was ready to leave.
It was a nice day Indeed. I was happy about the friendly environment as this is something which matters to me the most. I was satisfied with the salary, job tasks, department and everything. All in all, I thanked God for getting me my dream job. Sometimes in life, we become depressed and get frustrated with everything and everybody around us. Instead of getting upset, one should struggle to be the best. Waiting patiently and hoping for the best leads to a happy point in life!
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